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I'l"i ~~ III i'j .Y._. " '.' i SUMMARY ,. ALTERNATIVE F The location, dimensions, and physical features of alternative F would be the same as alternative B, including the flow capacity of 1,135 ft3/s for the powerplant, This alternative would reduce diversions from the Gunnison River during periods of ice buildup and would deliver additional water to the Uncompahgre River upstream from Montrose during the summer, Mean annual diversions from the Gunnison River would be 686,840 acre-feet, SUMMARY OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES GENERAL The Uncompahgre Valley lies along the western flank of the Rocky Mountains with elevations ranging from 4,950 feet above sea level near Delta to 6,500 feet near Montrose, The Gunnison River flows east of the valley through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument (Monument) and the Gunnison Gorge Recreation Area, The climate is typified by low precipitation and a wide range of daily and average annual temperatures. Native vegetation consists mostly of semidesert shrubS, Wetlands occur along the Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers, About 505,000 acre-feet of water flow into the Uncompahgre valley annually, Nearly two-thirds of this volume is imported for irrigation frOm the Gunnison River via the Tunnel, and the remaining volume is derived from the Uncompahgre River and its tributaries. The Uncompahgre River fishery is limited due to water quality and flow problems. However, the Gunnison River supports an excellent trout fishery between Crystal Reservoir and several miles downstream from the river's confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison, The total population in Montrose and Delta Counties is approxi- mately 50,000 people. In addition to agriculture, tourism and recreation are important local industries. Any of the four development alternatives would result in short-" term, construction-related impacts and long-term operational impacts, Short-term impacts include vegetation clearing, erosion, and construction disturbance, as well as short-term increases to the local economy, Long-term impacts would be related to the decreased flows in the Gunnison River and the increased flows in the Uncompahgre River and the long-term additions to the local economy resulting from power production. S - 7 ~1 'j - ?"" .~ .~ . ~ -~ } ", 3 ! , j ; ~ j ; , .~ "1 >J ,; A ') ;; . .{ -;\. .~